Lions’ revamped defence gets two new linebackers
Ragland won Super Bowl with Chiefs while Lee lost same game with 49ers
The Detroit Lions continue to overhaul the team’s defence in free agency.
The Lions reportedly came to terms on Friday with Super Bowl champion linebacker Reggie Ragland and linebacker Elijah Lee on one-year contracts.
The 26-year-old Ragland was a second-round pick by the Buffalo Bills in 2016 out of the University of Alabama, but tore his anterior cruciate ligament in training camp and missed the season.
Before the start of the 2017 season, the six-foot-two, 252-pound Ragland was traded to the Kansas City Chiefs for a fourth-round draft pick in 2019.
Lions head coach Matt Patricia likes to feature larger linebackers in his system and Ragland fits perfectly. He made 32 starts in his 42 games with the Chiefs and compiled 160 tackles over that stretch. He started for the Chiefs in their 31-20 win over the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LIV.
The 24-year-old Lee was a restricted free agent, but did not get a qualifying offer from the 49ers, which allowed him to become an unrestricted free agent.
The six-foot-two, 229-pound Lee was a seventh-round pick by the Minnesota Vikings in 2017 and was signed by the 49ers off of Minnesota’s practice roster.
He appeared in 38 games for the 49ers over the past three seasons with six starts over the past two seasons. Lee saw 20 snaps in the Super Bowl on special teams, which is an area that has been a focus for the Lions in free agency.
The Lions have now made nine additions on defence during free agency. With Lee and Ragland, the Lions have now added three linebackers in free agency along with Jamie Collins.
The club has also added defensive tackle Danny Shelton and Nick Williams, cornerbacks Desmond Trufant and Tony Mccrae, while picking up safety Jayron Kearse and trading for safety Duron Harmon.
The Lions released linebacker Devon Kennard, defensive tackle Damon Harrison and traded cornerback Darius Slay.